Our Story
The love of the Gorge, of sharing time with family and friends in such an incredible place, and the passion to share an incredible wine experience.
How it began
After spending years enjoying the recreational side of the Gorge, and with a long-term desire to own property in such a special location, Brian came across the unique opportunity to purchase an old but neglected pear orchard in Underwood, Washington. Underwood, a renowned vineyard location, was first planted in 1972.
Knowing the quality of fruit coming from the region, Brian decided to convert the pear orchard to vineyard, planting the grape varietals of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, and in 2021 adding Pinot Meunier and Aligoté.
The love of the Gorge, of the intimate enjoyment of sharing time with family and friends in such an incredible place, of sharing the beauty of the natural world, and of course the passion to share an incredible wine experience. These are some of the experiences we value and like to offer all who visit.
The Vineyard
Located within the Columbia Gorge AVA, the land is volcanic, the earth rich with minerals, the air hot by day and cool by night. It sits between the wet western part of Oregon and Washington and the very dry eastern parts of both states.
On southward-facing gentle slopes, our vineyard is ideally located to catch the long days of summer sun, and at an elevation of 1,500 feet we enjoy the cool nights required for producing our wines.
“Underwood Mountain’s volcanic soil creates unique characteristics in our wine and offers a stunning landscape. Drinking our wine should be as good as drinking in the natural beauty of where it’s from.”
In the vineyard
The vineyard is worked daily by several vignerons (people who cultivate grapes for winemaking) who have been part of the business since the beginning, with decades in the farming industry.
We also work with a top vineyard consultant from the more mature Willamette Valley region. The land here is unique and differs from the well-known Willamette Valley, and it’s significantly easier to get to: a little more than an hour from Portland International Airport, in the Hood River, White Salmon, and Underwood area.
Winemaker · since 2015
Derek has made the wines at Wannamaker Estate since 2015. Born the son of a winemaker in Napa Valley, he earned a studio art degree from the University of Redlands before food and wine pulled him into the cellar.
He trained at Vietti in Italy, Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars in Sonoma, and Joseph Phelps in Napa, then returned to Oregon in 2009 as cellar master at Lemelson Vineyards. He spent twelve years as winemaker, vineyard manager, and later co-owner of Patton Valley Vineyard, co-founded the Oregon vermouth company imbue, and today is Director of Winemaking at Dobbes Family Winery in Dundee.
His approach: complexity often comes from simplicity in the cellar, so the wine tastes like what it is and where it comes from.
Our Winemakers
Meet Derek, Julia, Anthony, and Thane, the winemakers behind our wines.
Loop De Loop Winery
Julia made two barrels of Wannamaker Chardonnay from the 2023 vintage, bottled around August 2025, and about three and a half barrels of Chardonnay in 2024. She favors Wente-clone Chardonnay.
Winemaker · 2020–2021 vintages
Owner and winemaker of Ratio Wines in Carlton, Oregon, and previously winemaker at Lemelson Vineyards.
Hawkins Cellars · 2020, 2023 & 2024 vintages
Proprietor and winemaker of Hawkins Cellars on Underwood Mountain, founded in 2007.
For Wannamaker he made our smoky 2020 Rosé here in Underwood, our 2023 sparkling Rosé, and a 2024 Chardonnay.
Vineyard consultant · since 2017
Leigh has a history of managing or consulting for many of the top vineyards in Oregon, and has been working with us since 2017. Her vineyard management style is a blend of scientific knowledge, experience, and experimentation. She is tireless in her pursuit to enhance quality, experimenting with pruning techniques, vine spacing, trellising, cover crop, and clonal selection.
Leigh attended the University of Oregon, then the University of California, Davis, where she earned her master’s degree in Viticulture. She has worked in wine regions around the world, at respected properties including Domaine Denis Mortet in Gevrey-Chambertin, Seresin Estate in Marlborough, New Zealand, and Robert Mondavi Winery in California. She joined Results Partners Vineyard Management in 2014 as Director of Viticulture.
We are fortunate to have Leigh on our team and thankful for the wealth of knowledge and experience she brings.
Small batch wines from Underwood Mountain, and four medals at the 2026 Seattle Wine Awards.
